Their Respective Encounters. (1)
……Whether the space itself was isolated, or ensnared by a barrier.
The [Magic Tower Entrance Requirements Briefing Hall] was trapped in magical darkness.
"Hmm……."
Lia stared at the darkness beyond the hall's door. She peered with an adventurer's eyes.
"Think you got it, Lia?"
She shook her head at Leo's question.
There was no way to grasp it through the system or phenomena.
"No. No clue. Nothing's visible, nothing's there. Since I'm not a mage……."
"What is it? What could it be?"
At that moment, Maho approached with a beaming smile. Her arms were stuffed with scraps of pamphlets from various departments.
"If it's magical terrorism, maybe we've been kidnapped?"
"Not that far yet…… Oh, right."
Lia tapped her temple. She'd momentarily forgotten her duty.
No matter the situation, protecting the princess was always top priority.
"Just sit tight for now. Leo, you watch the princess and nothing else."
"Got it! Princess, come with me!"
"Sure~"
Maho, who seemed drawn by curiosity, soon returned to her seat with Leo.
"……She's thorough, as expected."
Outwardly full of openings. The epitome of a naive fairy-tale princess. But inside, sharp as a blade.
Not just one, but dozens. Blades honed razor-sharp, lurking like serpents, ready to slice at a touch.
Even now, it wasn't mere curiosity. She'd come to subtly remind us we were neglecting our mission.
—How did you become an adventurer at such a young age, Leo? I'm so curious. You're amazing~
—Huh? Well…… Ahem…… Heh heh heh! Nah, I'm not that great~
The princess's praise and Leo wriggling bashfully.
Lia watched them, then unwittingly recalled the "predestined future."
Maho's quest. During that independent quest, she might—perhaps must—die.
Of course, "might" and "must" contradict each other…….
"It has been a while."
A voice chilled her from crown to spine. An icy aura.
Lia flinched and turned.
"……."
Deculein.
He'd approached unnoticed, looming over her. Her reflection gleamed in his calm, sunken pupils.
She swallowed hard and addressed herself.
"You've returned to the capital."
"……Yes."
"The task in Mieolji."
"……."
It was an assignment. A vow to Deculein. To obtain medicine for Karos, to surely restore him to humanity.
"A failure, then."
Deculein smirked as if he'd expected it. Lia clenched her fist.
"Not a failure. I gained a possibility."
"A possibility."
"Yes."
"Speak."
Lia hesitated, then shot him a glare.
"……It's a secret, you know."
"……."
It suddenly grew cold. Goosebumps rose on her neck and arms.
Deculein stood still, the temperature hadn't actually dropped, but it was psychological pressure.
She had no choice but to open her mouth.
"……I met someone in Mieolji."
"The Altar, you mean."
"……."
Lia was greatly startled. Her eyes widened as she met Deculein's gaze.
Truth be told, she hadn't wanted to say it because it was hard to believe.
Most named characters wouldn't buy "people live in Mieolji."
Yet Deculein showed no surprise, didn't disbelieve, and pinpointed the Altar immediately.
"You…… knew?"
At that moment, Lia harbored a tiny suspicion.
Could Deculein be involved with the Altar?
"Speak."
……No, Deculein the named character was a thorough atheist. If a religion of atheism existed, he'd be its most devout believer.
Such a man joining the Altar would be character-breaking.
Impossible.
Besides, he'd interrogated and killed Altiegue so harshly; he surely knew of the Altar's existence.
"……I asked them, and they said there's a flower."
"A flower."
"Yes. A flower that harmonizes demonic energy and mana."
"……Harmony."
Deculein's brow twitched.
"Yes. Purifying the demonic energy completely would kill Karos. But…… if harmonized……."
Karos would become no different from Altiegue.
She swallowed the rest.
Deculein equated Altiegue with demons, after all.
"Anyway. They call that flower 'Rejotal.' If we find it, Karos can live like a normal person."
"……."
Deculein fell into thought, his face pensive.
Lia, uneasy about his contemplation, fidgeted with her fingers and asked.
"But…… more importantly. If it's magical terrorism, shouldn't you resolve it somehow?"
"Impossible."
"……Huh?"
An immediate reply. An absurdly certain declaration of "impossible."
Lia blankly tilted her head, and Deculein explained.
"Because it is a Complete Detachment Barrier Ritual."
"……What's that?"
"The core of the barrier lies outside, hence 'complete detachment.' It bears both magical and ritual properties, hence 'barrier ritual.'"
"……."
Complete Detachment Barrier Ritual.
She didn't know the term, but anyway.
"Means we can't get out?"
"Escape from inside to outside is impossible."
"……Forever?"
"Until the core's mana depletes or the core is destroyed."
"Ah~"
Deculein truly knew everything.
Of course, this massive personality shift still disoriented Lia a bit, but she'd added the major turning point of "fiancée" herself.
Lia deliberately flashed a broad grin.
"Then it's no big deal, right?"
"It is a big deal."
"……Huh?"
"Quite the opposite."
"……Why? We already know what it is, so isn't it fine?"
Deculein loomed over her again. Then he began a very lengthy explanation.
"The Complete Detachment Barrier Ritual is the final hypothesis. After considering hundreds of possibilities, improvising rituals, and eliminating them one by one based on the hall's state, traces, and mana density as evidence."
"……The final hypothesis?"
"Indeed. Once impossibilities are excluded, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, is the truth."
That familiar quote startled Lia, and a mage approached stealthily.
Ifrin.
Her expression was gravely serious compared to Deculein's.
"Then we're in big trouble?"
"The Complete Detachment Barrier Ritual is a grand magic."
"……."
That single phrase sealed Lia's words.
Grand Magic.
A miracle transcending the realm of magic.
"Grand…… magic?"
Lia blankly looked up at Deculein. His face remained composed.
"Then…… it's not terrorism?"
"Erecting a barrier in a civilian area without permission is legally terrorism by imperial law. However, the caster is unbound by such trivial laws."
"……The caster."
Deculein nodded. He exhaled deeply and turned back to the podium.
"An Archmage, or one equivalent, is here."
"……."
At that moment, Lia's mind went blank.
Archmage.
Demakan?
No, or equivalent…….
Murkan?
"Likely come for me."
"……For you, Professor? Why?"
To the dazed Lia, Deculein explained simply.
"Because I killed Rohakan."
Meanwhile, Julie arrived in the capital with Reilly.
"Here! This is the place, knight!"
"Right!"
Before heading to the palace, the two stopped at a nearby clothing store. It was [Antwar], the capital's most famous shop.
"……Knight. Look at this. How about it?"
Reilly scanned the clothes and recommended an elegant dress.
But Julie shook her head again.
"Rather, what about this suit?"
An outdated, stuffy suit no old man would wear.
Reilly sighed.
"Sigh. No need for a suit. We'll get imperial guard uniforms at the palace anyway. Buy a dress."
"……Too expensive. 50,000 elne for one outfit."
That's several weeks of rations.
As Julie grumbled dissatisfied, a voice pierced their hearts.
—This would suit Julie well.
Deculein's voice, too vivid.
—Haha. The professor only thinks of Knight Julie.
—Thinking of a beautiful person while seeing beautiful clothes is natural.
Voices from that painful past.
Her heart pounded, cold sweat beaded on her forehead.
—Then, the engagement ceremony is tomorrow?
—Indeed. Package it.
—Yes. Haha. Knight, you're so lucky~ To have such an amazing professor as your partner…….
The laughter faded like mist.
Not just the shopkeeper—Deculein laughed too.
"……Deculein's voice, right?"
Reilly asked. Julie nodded silently.
"Well…… yeah. This 'Voice' phenomenon mostly links to people you're connected to. So…… I'm a bit scared too. Might hear Mom or Dad. Anyway, don't mind it too much—"
—But, Professor. A presumptuous question.
The seemingly ended voice resumed.
The two instinctively perked their ears.
—Lately, high society is so curious about…….
—Speak.
—Haha. Nothing much, but what about Knight Julie has so captivated you.
……The shopkeeper's question.
And then.
—……A pitiable woman. She has never possessed anything of her own. Her empty life is so tragic, her facade of strength so poignant.
Deculein's answer.
—Pity…… is it?
—Perhaps. But what does it matter? That's precisely why she'll be happy with me. She must desire me. She couldn't not…….
With those words, the 'Voice' intrusion faded.
"……."
In the burning silence, Julie clenched her fist.
She gritted her teeth until they rattled.
"Hmm……. Actually, this looks good now."
Reilly picked up the suit Julie had chosen.
"Excuse me. We'll take this. Ring it up."
Knights renowned across the continent were gathering at the palace one by one. Veron, Jeilon, Yuple, Bomass, and others—famous masters alongside young rising stars like Julie and Delik.
All were on the list personally summoned by the Imperial Emperor.
"All thirty have assembled in the dining hall, Your Majesty."
"Very well."
The thirty Sophien had called. She watched their reception room through a crystal orb.
—Bomass. So you're here too.
—Haha! Of course. But why has Your Majesty…….
The knights chatted amiably, faces full of joy and pride.
All except one: Julie.
"Julie. That one's been isolated."
She sat alone in the corner, blinking silently. In her outdated suit, hands on knees, awkward and unapproachable—no knight spoke to her.
"Likely due to the Phrenheim Knight Order scandal with Julie."
"I know."
The Phrenheim Knight Order corruption scandal.
It had instantly tarnished the pure, upright image of Julie, and Deculein had discarded her—or pretended to.
Of course, Sophien vaguely knew the truth.
Unless Deculein confessed directly, she couldn't know for sure, but at least that it was for Julie's sake.
"Call Julie first. I'll interview them one by one starting with her."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Ahan swiftly relayed the message.
Less than three minutes later, Julie arrived at the emperor's study.
"I come before Your Majesty."
Sophien scanned the politely bowing Julie.
Nothing flashy, nothing arrogant. The epitome of a loyal retainer, expressing sincerity through neat actions and etiquette.
"Indeed. It feels like yesterday you were my tutoring knight."
"Yes. It was a true honor. That time was too brief a light in my life. Due to my own fault, it ended in dishonor—"
"Enough."
Sophien cut her off. Left alone, she'd drone on about her sins.
"Do you know why you're here today?"
"I do not."
"A test."
"……."
Julie didn't pry despite not knowing. Knightly etiquette.
Sophien explained simply.
"I seek a knight to succeed Kairon. First my guard, then the Empire's guardian knight."
Empire Guardian Knight.
Julie's eyes widened. Her pale pupils swirled like a blizzard.
Such an honest woman.
"For that, I've prepared trials. Can you manage?"
"Your Majesty. Merely granting me the chance to challenge is infinite honor—"
"Accept."
Sophien handed her a photo. Julie looked at it.
A child. Barely eight, too young.
"An Altiegue. Lived ordinarily, like a normal child."
"……."
"Yet I utterly loathe Altiegue blood…… So, I ask."
Sophien's lips curved mischievously.
"Can you kill this child with your own hands? Sever its neck with your sword?"
"……."
Julie lifted her head.
Sophien's lips, watching her, soon hardened.
"……Your Majesty."
No agitation in Julie. No hesitation.
"The child is innocent."
To her, it was simply obvious.
A knight who couldn't accept sacrificing a child for glory or promotion.
"……Tch."
Sophien clicked her tongue irritably.
"Now I see it clearly."
Seeing that face brimming with conviction, she understood.
"Why that professor hates you."
Deculein.
Why that man hated this woman.
"And why he loves you."
Why he loved her.
But then, Julie questioned for the first time.
"……Professor Deculein loves me?"
"Indeed."
"No."
Julie stated firmly.
"He has never loved me, not once."
"……Not once?"
"Yes. It was merely pity, like comforting a lost dog."
Words laced with intense resentment.
Ignorant, or deluded into thinking she knew all, spoken with utter conviction.
"……."
Sophien felt oddly vexed.
But she didn't show it.
This made it all the more intriguing.
"Anyway. The real task is elsewhere."
"……Yes."
"I don't order knights to kill children. Killing doesn't make one loyal; the killer might be the mad one……."
Sophien leaned forward abruptly. She peered into Julie's startled face.
"However, when I was young. At the age of that child in the photo. Someone tried to poison me."
Julie grew serious at once. She met Sophien's gaze steadily.
"Thus, your task."
Sophien grinned and continued.
"Uncover the mastermind behind the poisoning, using all your abilities."
"……."
To the tight-lipped knight, the emperor asked.
"Can you do it?"
"Yes."
The knight nodded as if she'd been waiting, pouring all her conviction and faith into her words.
"Knight Dayah. I shall grind my bones to dust and exert myself like a dog or horse to pass Your Majesty's test."
……As emperor, it was a most satisfying answer.